CVE-2008-1279 in True Image
Summary
by MITRE
Acronis True Image Group Server 1.5.19.191 and earlier, included in Acronis True Image Enterprise Server 9.5.0.8072 and the other True Image packages, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a packet with an invalid length field, which causes an out-of-bounds read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1279 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Acronis True Image Group Server versions 1.5.19.191 and earlier, which are also included in Acronis True Image Enterprise Server 9.5.0.8072 and other True Image packages. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the network protocol handling component of the software. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system receives a network packet containing an invalid length field, which triggers an out-of-bounds memory read operation. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software security architecture. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can send packets to the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted network packet that contains malformed length fields within the communication protocol. When the affected software processes this packet, it fails to properly validate the length field before using it to access memory locations, leading to an out-of-bounds read condition. This memory access violation typically results in a crash of the application process, effectively causing a denial of service condition that renders the backup server unavailable to legitimate users. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of insufficient bounds checking in network protocol implementations, where the software assumes valid input without proper validation. According to ATT&CK framework category T1499, this vulnerability aligns with the Denial of Service technique, specifically targeting network services through protocol manipulation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition from external networks without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where backup servers often operate in accessible network zones.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-1279 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can compromise the integrity of backup operations that are critical to business continuity. Organizations relying on Acronis True Image Group Server for their backup infrastructure face potential data recovery failures during critical moments when backup services are most needed. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that can be leveraged by threat actors to disrupt backup operations, potentially forcing organizations to rely on alternative backup methods or manual recovery procedures. This disruption can lead to extended downtime, increased recovery times, and potential data loss scenarios if backup operations are not available when needed. The flaw also represents a significant concern for organizations with strict compliance requirements, as backup system availability is often mandated by regulatory frameworks such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or HIPAA. The vulnerability's classification under the broader category of memory safety issues highlights the importance of proper software development practices, including bounds checking, input validation, and secure coding methodologies. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including software updates, network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of vendor patches or updates to versions that address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to the affected services and monitor for malformed packets that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK techniques for network service disruption, making defensive measures such as intrusion detection system rules and network behavior monitoring particularly effective. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems within their network infrastructure that may be running vulnerable versions of Acronis True Image software. The remediation process should include not only patching the affected software but also implementing proper input validation procedures in network protocols and conducting security code reviews to prevent similar issues in future development cycles. Additionally, organizations should establish incident response procedures that can quickly identify and respond to denial of service attacks targeting backup infrastructure, as these systems often become primary targets during coordinated attacks due to their critical role in organizational recovery operations.